One of the defining elements of the Xbox experience is the implementation of Achievements. Naturally, Microsoft will include them in the Xbox One, which they announced on May 21. However, they aren’t going to work in the same way it previously did. Now, there is more to them than ever before.
Previously, the way it would work was as follows: the developer set up come sort of challenge, such as killing x amount of enemies using weapon y. If you completed this challenge, you heard the iconic sound, and your Gamerscore would increase. The same principle will be used with the Xbox One, but you can expect to see more things going along with that basic experience.
According to a press release from Microsoft, a new system will capture video of your epic moments, continue to grow achievements for a game over time, and will reward you in new ways. Your Gamerscore will carry over from your Xbox 360.
A fact sheet for Microsoft’s latest console says the same thing, but in simplified terms: new achievements will be powered by the cloud, with more updates and the ability to share wins with your friends. An expanded achievements system will capture gameplay footage.
The fact that players will be able to record events leading up to unlocking achievements using the Xbox One’s new DVR feature could be a nice addition for those who upload walkthroughs on YouTube.
We are still left with a number of questions, though. How will the Xbox One know when to start capturing an achievement in progress? How does being powered by the cloud give the player more ways to earn achievements? What does growing an achievement over time look like?
Overall, it seems as though the achievements system’s new change is one of the few promising features of Microsoft’s next-generation in console gaming. This feature has the potential to make an achievement mean something more than just an addition to the player’s Gamerscore.
